News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Mar 19, 2025

Lakeland man already in jail for one crime gets additional charges for another crime

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged a Lakeland man for a crime that was committed on March 10, 2025, and deputies didn't even have to take the suspect to jail.

The crime in the early morning hours of March 10th, when 31-year old Austin James Fenimore trespassed on private property in Kathleen.

Fenimore entered a structure and used bolt cutters in an attempt to steal a lawn mower. When he failed, he stole the video camera that was recording his misdeeds, and took a pair of jumper cables too.

From the security video, a deputy printed a photo of the suspect, and took it around the neighborhood. One person was able to recognize the suspect as Fenimore.

The deputy learned that Fenimore was already in the Polk County Jail. He was arrested by Lakeland PD on March 17th for Retail Theft, and Possession of Marijuana Resin and Drug Paraphernalia.

Fenimore received additional charges from the PCSO for: Burglary, Loitering/Prowling, Petit Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of Burglary Tools.